Closure device for containers having an axial rotary and longitudinally movable apertured cap



Sept. 27, 1966 D. H. TROTT 3,275,202

CLOSURE DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS HAVING AN AXIAL ROTARY AND LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE APERTURED CAP Filed May 25, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 9M yiifi ZLZMWMW D. H. TROTT CONTAI Sept. 27, 3966 3,2 75,202 OTARY CLOSURE DEVICE FOR NERS HAVING AN AXIAL R AND LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE APERTURED CAP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1965 United States Patent 3,275 202 CLOSURE DEVICE FQR (IONTAINERS HAVING AN AXIAL ROTARY AN 11) LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE APERTURED CAP David H. Trott, 3351 Stettinins Ave, Cincinnati, @hio 45268 Filed May 25, 1965, Ser. No. 458,698 9 Claims. (Cl. 222-520) This invention relates to a closure device for containers or the like having a dispensing opening and, more particularly, to a closure device for capping and uncapping a necked container Without removing or separating the closure from the container.

In containers having a dispensing opening, such as a tube of tooth paste or shampoo, for example, the cap must be completely removed from the tube to allow removal of the product. Then, the cap must be screwed or threaded back on to the container to close and seal the dispensing opening.

The cap of this type of closure for a container may be easily misplaced, which causes inconvenience in searching for it.

The cap may become lost, so that there is no sealing of the dispensing opening of the container. This may allow leakage of the product, resulting in waste and/ or sanitary problems. Furthermore, continued exposure of the product in the neck of the container to air may cause it to harden or otherwise deteriorate.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problems by providing a closure device which remains attached to the container during all opening and closing operations. Furthermore, the present invention provides a device that is rapidly movable from a closed and sealing position to an open position and vice versa.

There are on the market several types of containers with closure devices which need not be removed, but each is different from the present invention and cannot be used for many purposes for which the present invention is suitable.

One such closure, for example, consists of a spout which is tilted back and forth. In one position the spout is open; in the other the flow of product to the tip of the spout is interrupted and closed oif. This type of closure is commonly found on containers for such products as cigarette lighter fluids, light lubricating oils, etc. Since in the closed position this device leaves a residue of product in the spout unprotected against air, it is unsuitable for use with any product which is adversely affected by such exposure. The present invention, on the other hand, protect the product fully against such exposure, because it seals off the spout or neck at the very end.

Another type of captive closure on the market consists of a cap which is pressed or snapped onto the end of the dispensing neck of the container, and which is held captive by a strand of flexible material connecting it to the container. This type of cap is common on packages of household liquid detergents, insecticides, etc. It does not provide as tight a seal as the present invention, nor is it suitable for us on a neck or spout intended to be used as an applicator, tending to get in the way and interfere. The closure of the present invention, on the other hand, rotates around the neck and recedes down it, thus leaving the neck entirely exposed and unencumbered by any appendage such as that just described.

Still a third type of closure on the market, which need not be removed from the container, incorporates an orifice in the center of the cap or top of the container, which is opened by rotating the top, which in turn withdraws a plug from the orifice, thus allowing material to escape from the container. A variation of this same closure is operated by snapping the outside cap up and down. The design of this closure is such that the diameter of the cap necessarily is several times the diameter of the dispensing orifice itself, so that it is unsuited for use as an applicator. Also, this type of closure tends to leave a residue of material or product on the outside of the cap when it is closed. The present invention, on the other hand, makes possible a neck in which the diameter of the orifice is almost as big as the total neck diameter. Thus, it is perfectly suited for applicator use, such as is desirable for products like caulking material, tooth paste, salves, etc. Moreover, the present invention leaves no residue.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention is readily distinguished from captive closure devices now on the market by a combination of characteristics and advantages which is not to be found elsewhere. This combination of features includes: capping and uncapping a neck or spout which can be designed to be perfectly suited to applicator or dispenser use; capping or sealing said neck at its very end, but exposing said neck completely and without obstruction in the open position;

ccomplishment of the opening and closing function by rotation of the cap around a vertical axis, without removal of any part of the closure from the container.

In addition to the above closures now on the market, still other closures which may be attached to the container have been suggested in the past, but each of these has had certain disadvantages that have limited or reduced its potential. For example, one type of closure which remains attached to the container, has required a special annular cup to be formed around the top of the container and adjacent to the neck of the container. Thus, it is not usable with commercially available containers, but requires a specific container to permit it to be used.

The present invention overcomes this problem by being readily designed for use with any type of necked container in which the neck or dispensing spout is threaded to receive a cap or top. Accordingly, the present invention may be readily designed for containers which are already commercially available, having tooth paste, shaving cream, shampoo, liquid products, or other well-known ingredients as the contents.

Furthermore, the above closure design is inherently very fragile, so that its applicability would be limited at best and its service life of doubtful length. The present invention, on the other hand, is structurally sound and sturdy.

Another type of previously suggested closure for containers has required that the container be designed so that its neck has various cam configurations formed therein. Again, unlike the present invention, this type of closure has utility only wherein a container is specifically designed for use with it.

While reference has been made in the foregoing to a container consisting of a tube as a primary example of the kind of container to which the present invention might be applied, it should be understood that it can just as readily be designed for other types of containers as well, including bottles, jars, and the like. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to the capping and sealing of valves, dispensers, hoses, tubes, and pipes. It may be designed as a substitute for threaded, crimped, or pressure-fitted caps of all kinds.

Nor is the utility of the present invention limited to use as a substitute for caps or covers currently on the market, which fit container-s expressly designed to receive them. In addition to such use, it may also be designed as an inherent part of the container itself, so that the actual top of the container forms the base of the present invention.

the attached drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a container having the closure device of the present invention attached thereto with the closure device in its closed position.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the closure in dispensing condition.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along .the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 with the cap of the closure device in its closed and sealing position.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURE 3, showing the cap removed from its closed and sealing position but still blocking the neck.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURE 3, showing the cap of the closure device of the present invention in a position in which it is to one side of the neck.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the closure device of the present invention in the position in which ingredients may be dispensed from the container, and taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view, partly in section in which the top is broken away, with the cap of the closure device in its closed position as shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view, similar to FIGURE 7, with the cap of the closure device broken away to show details.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view, similar to FIGURE 7, showing the relation of the cap to the neck when the closure device is in the position of FIGURE 5.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGURE 1, there is shown a container 10. It should be understood that the container 10 may contain any ingredient which may be dispensed from such a container such as shaving cream, lotion, shampoo, etc.

The top of the container 10 has a neck 11 (see FIG- URES 3-6) thereon with threads on its exterior. The threads on the neck 11 cooperate with a removable cap (not shown) whereby a dispensing opening 12 at the end of the neck 11 may be closed and sealed. The dispensing opening 12 is the terminal end of a passage extending through the neck 11 to the interior of the container 10.

The closure device of the present invention includes a cylindrical member 14, which has a central body 15. The body has a threaded recess or receptacle extending inwardly from its lower end to receive the neck 11 of the container 10 as shown in FIGURES 3-6.

The cylindrical member 14 has an annular flange 16 extending downwardly from the lower end of the body 15 to support the member 14 on the slanting top surface of the container 10. The flange 16 has its bottom 17 slanted inwardly to cooperate with the slanting top sur face of the container 10. If the container 10 had a flat top, the bottom 17 of the flange 16 would be flat rather than slanting.

The cylindrical member 14 has a substantially cylindrical neck or nozzle 18 extending upwardly from the central portion of the body 15. The neck 18 has a passage 19 extending therethrough and in alignment with the dispensing opening 12 of the container 10. Thus, the contents of the container 10 exit from the dispensing opening 12 through the passage 19. The upper end of the neck 18 has its inner wall 20, which forms the passage 19, tapered and its outer wall 21 tapered.

An annular flange 22 extends upwardly from the body 15 and is spaced from the neck 18 to form an annular recess 23 therebetween. As shown in FIGURES 3-6, the cylindrical member 14 has its outer wall tapered slightly inwardly from the lower portion of the flange 16 to the upper portion of the flange 22.

The closure and dispensing device also includes a hollow outer shell 24. The shell 24 includes a cylindrical portion 25 having one end open to fit over the cylindrical member 14. The shell 24 has a curved or ar-cuate portion 26 at the other end of the cylindrical portion 25 and substantially closed except for an opening 27, which has its axis coaxial with the axis of the passage 19 in the neck 18. The opening 27 is slightly larger than the outer diam eter of the neck 18 to permit the neck 18 to pass therethrough.

A support 28 is disposed within the hollow shell 24 and attached thereto adjacent the junction of the cylindrical portion 25 and the curved portion 26 by a plurality of pins 29. The support 28 includes an upper, substantially flat portion 30 extending inwardly toward the neck 18, a connecting cylindrical portion 31, and a lower, annular lip 32. The upper portion 38 and the cylindrical portion 31 have the same inner diameter, which is larger than the neck 18, whereas the annular lip 32 has a smaller inner diameter so as to fit close to the outer wall of the neck 18.

As shown in FIGURES 3-5 and 7-9, the upper portion 30 of the support 28 has an upstanding portion 33, which is preferably formed integral therewith. The upstanding portion 33 has an arcuate bearing surface 34, formed therein. A cap has a first substantially cylindrical portion 36, which rides on the bearing surface 34 in the upstanding portion 33 when the cap 35 is pivoted from the position of FIGURE 8 to the position of FIGURE 9.

The cap 35 has a sec-0nd substantially cylindrical portion 37, which is smaller in length and larger in diameter than the portion 36 and disposed above the portion 36. The bottom of the portion 37 cooperates with a shoulder 38, which is formed in the upstanding portion 33 to pivotally mount the cap 35 within the upstanding portion 33 so that the cap 35 pivots about the axis of the first portion 36. The upstanding portion 33 has a second bearing surfiace 39 above the shoulder 38 for cooperation with the second cylindrical portion 37 of the cap 35.

The cap 35 has a curved or spherical shaped head 40 attached to the second cylindrical portion 37 by a connecting portion 41. The head 41) has a depending portion 42, which has its outer wall tapered inwardly to cooperate with the tapered end of the inner wall 20 of the neck 18 to seal the passage 19 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 8.

The first cylindrical portion 36, which rides on the arcuate bearing surface 34 of the upstanding portion 33, is partially cut away at its lower end so that a projection 43 is formed to extend beyond the periphery of the first cylindrical portion 36. A groove or channel 44 is formed between the projection 43 and the first cylindrical portion 36 whereby the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 36 adjacent the groove or channel 44 functions as a projection 45. The projections 43 and 45 thus are similar to two gear teeth.

With the closure shut, the projection 45 is disposed in a recess 46 (see FIGURES 8 and 9), which is formed in the upper portion of the outer wall 21 of the neck 18. At this time the projection 43 is disposed within a recess 47 in the upper portion of the outer wall 21 of the neck 18. A partition or shoulder 48 is formed on the neck 18 between the recesses 46 and 47 to form a common Wall therebetween.

As shown, a cam track 49 is formed in the outer wall of the cylindrical member 14 primarily in the annular flange 22 but terminating in the body 15. A pin 50, which functions as a cam follower, is attached to the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 25 of the shell 24 for cooperation with the cam track 49. If desired, the cam track 49 could be formed in the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 25 of the shell 24 and the pin 50 could be disposed on the cylindrical member 14.

The neck 18 has a cam track 51 formed in its outer wall 21 and communicating with the recess 47. The recess 47 and the cam track 51 may be considered a single cam track. The cam track 51 cooperates with the projection 43, which is a cam follower.

The cam track 49 includes an inclined first portion 52. The cam track 49 has a substantially horizontal second portion 53, which has one end communicating with the upper end of the first portion 52 of the cam track 49. The cam track 49 has an inclined third portion 54, which communicates with the other end of the second portion 53. The third portion 54 has a substantially greater length than either the second portion 53 or the first portion 52. The second portion 53 is of greater length than the first portion 52.

When the pin 50 is positioned in the lower end of the first portion 52 of the cam track 49, the head 44 of the cap 35 is disposed in its closed and sealing relation with the end of the passage 19 in the neck 18 whereby the depending portion 42 of the head 40 is disposed within the end of the passage 19 as shown in FIGURE 3. When the shell 24 is rotated about the axis of the passage 19 in the neck 18, the pin 50 moves upwardly from the lower end of the inclined first portion 52 of the cam track 49. The upward movement of the pin 50 causes the outer shell 24 to advance upwardly with respect to the cylindrical member 14 while rotating relative thereto. As a result, the depending portion 42 of the head 40 of the cap 35 is moved out of its closing and sealing relation with the end of the passage 19 in the neck 18.

Because the recesses 46 and 47 are much larger than the projections 45 and 43 respectively, the movement of the cap 35 with the shell 24 occurs without any pivotal movement of the cap'35 with respect to the neck 18. Thus, when the pin 50 reaches the end of the first portion 52 of the cam track 49 and enters the second portion 53, the head 40 of the cap 35 is still positioned in a path defined by the neck 18. This relation is shown in FIG- URE 4.

During the upward, axial movement of the shell 24 with respect to the cylindrical member 14, the projection 45 of the cap 35 is moved into engagement with the shoulder 48 because of rotation of the shell 24 with respect to the member 14. Thus, the projection 45 is in contact with the shoulder 48 when the pin 50 enters the second portion 53 of the cam track 49.

Accordingly, further rotation of the outer shell 24 about the axis of the passage 19 in the neck 18 causes the cap 35 to begin pivoting about the axis of the cylindrical portion 36. This movement occurs as the pin 50 advances along the substantially horizontal second portion 53 of the cam track 49. During movement of the pin 50 along the second portion 53, there is no axial movement of the shell 24 relative to the cylindrical member 14 but only rotation. This allows movement of the head 40 of the cap 35 from the position in which it blocks the path defined by the neck 18.

As the pin 50 progresses along the substantially horizontal second portion 53 of the cam track 49, the rotation of the shell 24 results in the cap 35 being pivoted about the axis of the cylindrical portion 36 due to engagement of the shoulder 48 with the projection 45. Before engagement between the shoulder 48 and the projection 45 ceases, the projection 43 begins to cooperate with the opposite side of the shoulder 48 in the recess 47 to contlnue pivoting of the cap 35 about the axis of the cylindrical portion 36.

When the pin 50 reaches the end of the second portion 53 of the cam track 49 as shown in FIGURE 5, the head 40 of the cap 35 has pivoted completely out of the path defined by the neck 18. This position of the cap 35 is clearly shown in FIGURE 9 wherein the cap 35 has part of its connecting portion 41, which extends from the cylindrical portion 37 to the head 40, disposed within a cut out portion 55 of the upstanding portion 33.

When the pin 50 moves downwardly along the third portion 54 of the cam track 49 due to rotation of the shell 24 about the axis of the passage 19 in the neck 18, the shell 24 moves downwardly so that the a-rcuate portion 26 of the shell 24 passes over the neck 18 by means of the opening 27 to allow protrusion of the neck 18 therefrom as shown in FIGURE 6. At the same time, the cap 35 is retained in the position of FIGURE 9 be- 6 cause the projection 43 is riding along one side of the cam track 51 in the outer wall 21 of the neck 18. The cam track 51 is formed to insure that there is no movement of the cap about the axis of the cylindrical portion 36 during movement of the pin 50 along the third portion 54 of the cam track 49.

Because of the tapering of the outer wall 21 of the neck 18 at its upper end, the neck 18 protrudes easily through the opening 27 in the curved portion 26 of the shell 24. When the shell 24 reaches the position of FIGURE 6, the cylindrical portion 31 and the annular lip 32 of the support 28 are disposed within the annular recess 23 of the cylindrical member 14.

With the neck 18 in the position of FIGURE 6, the ingredient within the container 10 is easily dispensed therefrom by squeezing the container 10. The neck 18 protrudes a sufficient distance to allow easy dispensing of the ingredient within the container 10. The annular recess 23 permits this substantial extension of the neck 18 since it allows downward movement of the support 28 within the cylindrical member 14.

When it is desired to close the passage 19 in the neck 18, it is only necessary to rotate the shell 24 in the opposite direction about the axis of the passage 19. During movement of the pin 50 along the third portion 54 due to rotation of the shell 24, the shell 24 moves upwardly with respect to the cylindrical member 14, which is secured to the container 10. During this movement, the projection 43 of the cap 35 rides in the cam track 51 to allow the cap 35 to move with the shell 24 without any movement relative thereto.

As the pin 59 enters the substantially horizontal second portion 53 of the cam track 49, further rotation of the shell 24 about the axis of the passage 19 does not result in any axial movement of the shell 24 with respect to the cylindrical member 14. However, during this movement of the pin 50 along the second portion 53 of the cam track 49, the cap 35 is pivoted about the axis of the cylindrical portion 36 to move the head 40 from its retracted or open position to its extended position wherein it blocks the path defined by the neck 18.

As the pin 50 moves along the second portion 53 of the cam track 49, the shoulder 48 engages the projection 43. Continued rotation of the shell 24 will force the shoulder 48 against the projection 43 causing the cylindrical portion 36 to pivot in its bearing surface 34 to bring the head 40 over the neck 18 as shown in FIGURE 4. When the projections 43 and 45 are in this position, with the groove 44 straddling the shoulder 48, the pin is about to enter the first portion 52 of cam track 49. Continued rotational movement of the shell 24 will cause the pin 50 to enter the portion 52 of cam track 49 and the shell with the head 40 'will lower axially so that the depending portion 42 will seat within the flared opening of the passageway 19. Rotational movement of the cap 35 is precluded during this phase of closing by the slack between the projections 43 and 45. This slack is taken up completely as the depending portion 42 is seated so that the projection 45 is in engagement with the shoulder 48.

Considering the operation of the present invention, the closure device is attached to the neck 11 of the container 10 by threading the neck 11 into the threaded recess in the body 15 of the cylindrical member 14. This provides communication from the dispensing opening 12 to the passage 19 in the neck 18 and forms a seal therewith.

With the device in its closed position of FIGURE 3, rotation of the shell 24 about the axis of the passage 19 initially results in breaking the closing and sealing relation of the head 40 of the cap 35 with the passage 19. After this relation is broken as shown in FIGURE 4, the head 40 of the cap 35 is pivoted about the axis of the cylindrical portion 36 from the position in which it blocks the path defined by the neck 18 to its retracted position wherein it does not block the path defined by the neck 18. Thereafter, rotation of the shell 24 results in the posite direction is necessary to return the device to its closed and sealing relation. In this movement to the closed and sealing position, the neck 18 is initially retracted within the shell 24 by moving the shell 24 upwardly due to the pin 50 riding along the third portion 54 of the cam track 49. Thereafter, the cap 3-5 is pivoted about the axis of the cylindrical portion 36 to a position wherein it blocks the opening 27 in the curved portion 26 of the shell 24 and the path defined by the neck 18. Further continued rotation moves the shell 24 downwardly to position the head 40 of the cap 35 in closing and sealing relation with the end of the passage 19 in the neck 18.

While the present invention has been described as a removable type of closure and opening device, it should be understood that it could be formed integrally with the container 10. When formed as an integral part of the container 10, no threads would have to be formed on either the neck 11 of the container 10 or in the recess within the body of the cylindrical member 14.

An advantage of this invention is that the closure cap can not be lost accidentally. Another advantage of this invention is that the neck protrudes or extends further out than is available on any other closure used for the same purpose. A further advantage of this invention is that there is positive sealing of the passage in the neck. Still another advantage of this invention is that its construction insures that the cap will not accidentally return to a closed position but looks the cap in an open position when the cap is retracted. A still further advantage of this invent-ion is that it may be readily employed with commercially available containers.

For purposes of exemplification, a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes and modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A closure device comprising a first member adapted to be connected to a container or the like having a dispensing opening, said first member having a neck extending therefrom with a passage therein communicating with the dispensing opening of th container when said first member is connected to the container, a second member surrounding said first member and having an opening in one end for passage of said neck therethrough when said second member moves axially relative to said first member by rotation of said second member about the axis of said passage in said neck, said second member having a cap mounted thereon and disposed within said second member, said cap being movable from a position in which it closes and seals said passage in said neck to an open position in which it is out of the path of said neck, means to move said cap from its passage closing position to a position in which said cap blocks the path of said neck, and said cap and said neck having cooperating means to move said cap from its blocking position to its open position and vice versa during rotation of said second member about the axis of said passage in said neck, said cooperating means causing movement of said cap from its blocking position to its open position only when said second member is moved only rotatably about the axis of said passage in said neck of said first member and not during axial and rotatable movement of said second member with respect to said first member.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which said cap is pivotally mounted on said second member.

3. A closure device comprising a first member adapted to be connected to a container or the like having a dispensing opening, said first member including a neck having a passage communicating with the dispensing opening of the container when said first member is connected thereto, a second member surrounding said first member and having an opening in one end with the axis of said opening aligned with the axis of said passage in said neck of said first member, the size of said opening of said second member being greater than the size of said neck whereby said neck may extend therethrough, said second member being rotatable about the axis of said passage in said neck of said first member and movable axially relative to said first member, said second member having a cap mounted thereon and disposed within said second member for closing the end of said passage in said neck remote from the dispensing opening of the container, said cap having two cam followers thereon and disposed in spaced relation to each other, said neck of said first member having two cam tracks, one of said cam tracks cooperating with one of said cam followers of said cap and the other of said cam tracks cooperating with the other of said cam followers of said cap, said first member and said second member having cooperating cam means to produce controlled axial movement of said second member with respect to said first member when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck of said first member, said cooperating cam means including a cam track to provide axial movement of said second member with respect to said first member during three periods of rotation of said second member with respect to said first member, said cam track causing axial movement of said opening of said second member away from said neck of said first member during a first period of rotation, said cam track prevent axial movement of said second member during a second period of rotation, and said cam track causing axial movement of said opening of said second member toward said neck of said first member during a third period of rotation whereby said neck extends through said opening in said second member, said one cam follower and said one cam track being active during a first part of the second period of rotation of said second member to begin movement of said cap away from closing said passage in said neck, said other cam follower and said other cam track being active during a second part of the second period of rotation of said second member to complete movement of said cap away from said passage in said neck to a position out of a path defined by said neck, said other cam follower and said other cam track being active during the third period of rotation of said second member to maintain said cap out of the path defined by said neck.

4. The device as set forth in claim 3 in which said cap is pivotally mounted on said second member.

5. The device as set forth in claim 3 in which said cam track of said cooperating means is formed in said first member.

6. A closure device comprising a first member adapted to be connected to a container or the like having a dispensing opening, said first member having a neck extending therefrom with a passage therein communicating with the dispensing opening of the container when said first member is connected to the container, a second member surrounding said first member and having an opening in one end for passage of said neck therethrough when said second member moves axially relative to said first member, said second member having a cap mounted thereon and disposed within said second member, said cap having a pair of spaced projections extending therefrom, said neck having a pair of receptacles therein with a shoulder separating said receptacles, one of said projections being disposed in one of said receptacles and the other of said projections being disposed in the other of said receptacles when said cap is in a position to close and seal said passage in said neck, each of said receptables being substantially larger than said projection disposed therein whereby said second member may be moved axially with respect to said first member by rotation of said second member to lift said cap from its closed and sealing position, said one projection and said shoulder of said neck initially engaging each other during rotation of said second member after said cap is lifted from its closed and sealing position to start movement of said cap to its open position away from a path defined by said neck, said shoulder removing said one projection from said one receptacle, said other receptacle having one of its walls engage said other projection before said shoulder ceases contact with said one projection to complete movement of said cap to its open position, said other receptacle having a cam track connected therewith and extending therefrom for said other projection to ride in during further rotation of said second member to cause axial movement of said second member relative to said first member whereby said neck extends through said opening in said second member, and said shoulder of said neck and said other projection engaging each other to return said cap to the position in which it is in the path defined by said neck.

7. A closure device comprising a first member adapted to be connected to a container or the like having a dispensing opening, said first member including a body having a neck extending from one side thereof, said neck having a passage therein for communicating with the dispensing opening of the container when said first member is connected to the container, said neck having a pair of cam tracks formed in its periphery, a second member surrounding said first member and having one end open to fit over said first member, said second member having its other end closed except for an opening coaxial with the axis of said passage in said neck and of slightly larger diameter than said neck, said first and second members having cooperating cam means including a third cam track on one of said first and second members and a cam follower on the other of said first and second members, said second member having a support therein and a cap pivotally mounted in said support, said cap having a pair of spaced cam followers, each of said cam followers cooperating with one of said pair of cam tracks in said neck, said cap closing and sealing said passage in said neck when said cam follower of said cooperating cam means is disposed at one end of said third cam track, said third cam track having a first portion beginning at said one end to cause said second member to have its closed end move away said neck when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck, said third cam track having a second portion to prevent axial movement of said second member with respect to said first member when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck, and said third cam track having a third portion to cause said second member to have its closed end moved toward said neck when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck, said pair of cam tracks in said neck being related to said third cam track, said pair of cam tracks not acting on said cam followers of said cap during travel of said cam follower of said cooperating cam means in said first portion of said third cam track, one of said pair of cam tracks in said neck cooperating with one of said cam followers of said cap to cause pivotal movement of said cap during initial movement of said cam follower of said cooperating cam means in said second portion of said third cam track whereby said one cam follower is moved out of engagement with said one cam track, the other of said pair of cam tracks cooperating with the other of said cam followers to continue pivotal movement of said cap during the remainder of movement of said cam follower of said cooperating cam means in said second portion of said third cam track whereby said cap is moved away from the path of movement of said neck with respect to said opening in the closed end of said second member, and the other of said cam tracks in said neck cooperating with the other of said cam followers of said cap to maintain said cap out of the path during movement of said cam follower of said cooperating cam means through said third portion of said third cam track whereby said neck extends through said opening in the closed end of said second member.

8. A closure device comprising a first member adapted to be connected to a container or the likehaving a dispensing opening, said first member including a body having a neck extending from one side thereof, said neck having a passage therein for communicating with the dispensing opening of the container when said first member is connected to the container, said first member having a first cam track formed in its exterior surface, said neck having a pair of cam tracks formed in its periphery, a second member surrounding said first member and having one end open to fit over said first member, said second member having its other end closed except for an opening coaxial with the axis of said passage in said neck and of slightly larger diameter than said neck, said second member having a cam follower on its inner wall for cooperation with said first cam track, said second member having a support therein and a cap pivotally mounted in said support, said cap having a pair of spaced cam followers, each of said cam followers cooperating with one of said pair of cam tracks in said neck, said cap closing and sealing said passage in said neck when said cam follower of said second member is disposed at one end of said first cam track, said first cam track having a first portion beginning at said one end to cause said second member to have its closed end move away from said neck when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck, said first cam track having a second portion to prevent axial movement of said second member with respect to said first member when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck, and said first cam track having a third portion to cause said second member to have its closed end moved toward said neck when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck, said pair of cam tracks in said neck being related to said first cam track, said pair of cam tracks not acting on said cam followers of said cap during travel of said cam follower of said second member in said first portion of said first cam track, one of said pair of cam tracks in said neck cooperating with one of said cam followers of said cap to cause pivotal movement of said cap during initial movement of said cam follower of said second member in said second portion of said first cam track whereby said cam follower is moved out of engagement with said one cam track, the other of said pair of cam tracks cooperating with the other of said cam followers to continue pivotal movement of said cap during the remainder of movement of said cam follower of said second member in said second portion of said cam track whereby said cap is moved away from the path of movement of said neck with respect to said opening in the closed end of said second member, and the other of said cam tracks in said neck cooperating with the other of said cam followers of said cap to maintain said cap out of the path during movement of said cam follower of said second member through said third portion of said first cam track whereby said neck extends through said opening in the closed end of said second member.

9. A closure device comprising a first member adapted to be connected to a container or the like having a dispensing opening, said first member including a body having a neck extending from one side thereof, said neck having a passage therein for communicating with the dispensing opening of the container when said first member is connected to the container, said first member having an annular flange extending the other side of said body for engaging the container top when said first member is connected to the container, said first member having a second annular flange extending from said one side of said body and spaced from said neck, said neck being of greater length than said second flange, said first member having a first cam track formed in its exterior surface, said first cam track being disposed primarily in said second flange of said first member and partially in said body of said first member, said neck having a pair of cam tracks formed in its periphery, a second member surrounding said first member and having one end open to fit over said first member, said second member having its other end closed except for an opening coaxial with the axis of said passage in said neck and of slightly larger diameter than said neck, said second member having a cam follower on its inner wall for cooperation with said first cam track, said second member having a support therein and a cap pivotally mounted in said support, said cap having a pair of spaced cam followers, each of said cam followers cooperating with one of said pair of cam tracks in said neck, said cap closing and sealing said passage in said neck when said cam follower of said second member is disposed at one end of said first cam track, said first cam track having a first portion beginning at said one end to cause said second member to have its closed end move away from said neck when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck, said first cam track having a second portion to prevent axial moevment of said second member with respect to said first member when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck, and said first cam track having a third portion to cause said second member to have its closed end moved toward said neck when said second member is rotated about the axis of said passage in said neck, said pair of cam tracks in said neck being related to said first cam track, said pair of cam tracks not acting on said cam followers of said cap during travel of said cam follower of said second member in said first portion of said first cam track, one of said pair of cam tracks in said neck cooperating with one of said cam followers of said cap to cause pivotal movement of said cap during initial movement of said cam follower of said second member in said second portion of said first cam track whereby said one cam follower is moved out of engagement with said one cam track, the other of said pair of cam tracks cooperating with the other of said cam followers to continue pivotal movement of said cap during the remainder of movement of said cam follower of said second member in said second portion of said cam track whereby said cap is moved away from the path of movement of said neck with respect to said opening in the closed end of said second member, and the other of said cam tracks in said neck cooperating with the other of said cam followers of said cap to maintain said cap out of the path during movement of said cam follower of said second member through said third portion of said first cam track whereby said neck extends through said opening in the closed end of said second member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,867,182 7/1932 Sicault 222550 X 2,165,825 7/1939 Von Bultzingslowen 222-519 2,657,836 11/1953 Heinz et a1 222545 2,823,837 2/1958 Heinle 222--546 2,886,219 5/1959 Van Baarn 222520 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

W. SOBIN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CLOSURE DEVICE COMPRISING A FIRST MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A CONTAINER OR THE LIKE HAVING A DISPENDING OPENING, SAID FIRST MEMBER HAVING A NECK EXTENDING THEREFROM WITH A PASSAGE THEREIN COMMUNICATING WITH THE DISPENSING OPENING OF THE CONTAINER WHEN SAID FIRST MEMBER IS CONNECTED TO THE CONTAINER, A SECOND MEMBER SURROUNDING SAID FIRST MEMBER AND HAVING AN OPENING IN ONE END FOR PASSAGE OF SAID NECK THERETHROUGH WHEN SAID SECOND MEMBER MOVES AXIALLY RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST MEMBER BY ROTATION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER ABOUT THE AXIS, OF SAID PASSAGE IN SAID NECK, SAID SECOND MEMBER HAVING A CAP MOUNTED THEREON AND DISPOSED WITHIN SAID SECOND MEMBER, SAID CAP BEING MOVABLE FROM A POSITION IN WHICH IT CLOSES AND SEALS SAID PASSAGE IN SAID NECK TO AN OPEN POSTION IN WHICH IT IS OUT OF THE PATH OF SAID NECK, MEANS TO MOVE THE CAP FROM ITS PASSAGE CLOSING POSITION OT A POSITION IN WHICH SAID CAP BLOCKS THE PATH OF SAID NECK, AND SAID CAP AND SAID NECK HAVING COOPERATING MEANS TO MOVE SAID CAP FROM ITS BLOCKING POSITION TO ITS OPEN POSITION AND VICE VERSA DURING ROTATION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID PASSAGE IN SAID NECK, SAID COOPERATING MEANS CAUSING MOVEMENT OF SAID CAP FROM ITS BLOCKING POSITION TO ITS OPEN POSITION ONLY WHEN SAID SECOND MEMBER IS MOVED ONLY ROTATABLY ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID PASSAGE IN SAID NECK OF SAID FIRST MEMBER AND NOT DURING AXIAL AND ROTATABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST MEMBER. 